Taco Casserole
Life feels a little like its in overdrive right now. Going faster than I can almost keep up with. Do you ever feel like that? There are days I am literally living in my car between all the errands and activities I am taxiing people to. Some days, I am lucky if dinner makes it to the table. Take out has been a good friend all to often this winter season ;)
That is why quick and easy dinners are my best friend. And when those quick and easy dinners are approved by my family members, it is a glorious day.
My husband LOVES tacos. Taco Tuesdays were a regular tradition for most of his life.
I love casseroles. I like the simplicity of layering ingredients for one pan of deliciousness that my whole family enjoys.
So as you can imagine, this recipe was a home run for everyone in the family!
Layers of chips, ground beef, beans, cheese and a plethora of yummy toppings, how can one go wrong?!
If you are in need for a QUICK, easy and tasty meal, give this a try!
- 1 pound ground beef
- ¼ cup chopped onion
- ¼ cup chopped bell pepper
- ⅓ cup taco seasoning
- ½ cup water
- 2 cups crushed tortilla chips
- 1 (16 ounce) can refried beans, or you can use 16 oz. of my prepared homemade refried beans
- 1½ cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
- Top with shredded lettuce, tomatoes, sliced olives, sour cream, avocados and salsa.
- In a large skillet cook ground beef, onion and green pepper until meat is done. Drain grease. Add taco seasoning and water. Cook about 3 minutes until it thickens. Remove from heat.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Place chips in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Evenly drop spoonfuls of beans over the chips and carefully spread beans over chips.
- Spoon ground beef mixture over beans and top with cheese.
- Bake at 375 degrees F for 15 minutes or until cheese is melted.
- Top with lettuce, tomatoes, olives, sour cream and salsa.
Enjoy!
Jen @ Baked by an Introvert
I love an easy dinner option as well. This casserole sounds amazing with all the elements of a taco inside. Pinning!
Averie @ Averie Cooks
I can totally imagine you are in overdrive, x10000000 with your 3 kids! I have 1 and can't keep up! Perfect dinner and pinned!
sue|theviewfromgreatisland
I love tacos but sometimes i don't have the energy to get all the different components organized, this is perfect for a busy night!
MamaT
This sounds yummy! However, having worked with refried beans a lot in the past, I just don't see them "spreading" on crushed chips. Call me crazy, but do YOU?? My idea is to mix them with the seasoned meat then spoon it on.
Gail H
I was wondering if someone else would mention this..I was thinking the same thing..Thanks gonna make it tonight!!
Kelley
Mamat, I mix a couple of tablespoons of salsa in with the beans. This will loosen them up enough to spread.
ROXY
THATS WHAT I WAS THINKING TOO WHEN I READ THE RECIPE. THINK I WILL PUT THE BEANS IN MEAT MIXTURE.
Christina Duckworth
It's easier if you heat the beans first and stir in a little water to thin them a bit. I also don't see why you couldn't just skip the beans if your family doesn't like them. (My son would go running for sure) Adding a scant layer of corn would get another veggie and another color in there just don't go overboard, LOVE taco salad. Going to make this for sure!
Sherry
Instead of trying to spread refried beans on crushed chips, use the flat hard taco sheets as your base. Spread the refried beans on each round before you put it on the bottom of the pan. Before baking, top the casserole with crushed chips and cheese.
Teresa
HI,
Your taco salad looks really good. I love refried beans, so i was wandering if you wouldn't
mind sharing your homemade refried beans recipe.
Thank you.
Hugs, Teresa
Mary @chattavore
Mmmmm, taco.... :)
Veronica
Mixed the beans into the meat mixture, used more of the veggies, and put the chips on top of the meat and under the cheese before baking. Chips were still crunchy and wouldn't have been if baked under the meat mixture. Pretty good, but I felt it was really heavy, unlike our tacos.
Judi
This was nice and quick! I found that, for my family, I needed to increase amounts. I increased chips by 1/3 and only used half as the bottom layer. Added half of the refried beans to the meat as well as a can of black beans - put small spoons full of refried beans on the crushed chips. Upped the seasonings a bit and topped with chips and cheese. Helped to increase nutrition, lower cost and stretch it to feed 5. Gotta' love teenagers!
JS Carroll
This recipe can easily be adapted for vegetarians. (I'm ovo-lacto) and eat fish,. I'll substitute the ground beef with Morning Star Farms Crumbles. My family will love it. They say they can't taste the difference. Eager to make this.
Angie
How many servings?
Lauren
Made this tonight, it was delicious!! Even my husband loved it, he didn't even notice the green peppers and refried beans he otherwise claims not to like! I'll definitely be adding this into the regular routine.
Cindy
If you need to stretch it a bit more just add a can of drained, rinsed black beans and a can of drained whole kernel corn or mexi corn to the meat mixture. yummmm
Robyn Zipsie
For a more authentic Mexican taste, I would sub or add mild green chilies from a can!
Peggy Duncan
We love tacos too & enchilada casseroles so i will try this.I wonder on the refried beans if you used a pastry bag & piped the beans over the chips how that would work?I might try this,lol,Plus you can make your own I hear.Squeezing the beans over things this way might work.Just a thought.Looks so good.Thx so much for your super recipes. <3
danyell marie
i made this it was delicious my family could not get enough
ROXY
HOW MANY DOES IT FEED?
Shawnee
This recipe is seriously freaking awesome. It is now a reoccurring meal for us that we love every time. Thank you for sharing this recipe with us!
Lori
Loved this!! Family did too and was great left over too! It's a keeper!
Mary
I doubled this recipe for a 9/13 pan and I will only day that the beans overwhelming the dish, less beans more ground beef. I would rate it a 2 out of 5.
Mama Moon
Mmm, so delicious and easy! I'm 8 months pregnant and have 2 toddlers so I have to make quick and easy dinners. I exchanged the refried beans for black beans and added a can of corn (kids love it) & it came out great! Thanks for the inspiration!
Sandra
Go to recipe at my house. Love it.
JoyfulDoris
I was looking for a recipe to use up a bag of chips that got crushed on a rafting trip. This looks amazing and I can use some of the ingredients fresh from my garden. Can't wait to taste it tonight! I'll share the reviews from the family. Pinned! :)